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Willingham scratched, set for an MRI on knee

Willingham scratched, set for an MRI on knee

6/30/13: Josh Willingham slaps a ground-rule double to left that scores Oswaldo Arcia and ties the game at 7 in the seventh inning

By Rhett Bollinger and Kelly Erickson
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MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- Josh Willingham was a late scratch from the lineup against the Yankees on Monday with increased discomfort in his left knee.

Willingham, who was slated to start at designated hitter, has been dealing with a sore left knee throughout the season and had a cortisone shot in his knee on June 15. He's scheduled to have an MRI exam on Tuesday morning.

"I tweaked again [on Friday] and it hasn't gotten better since," Willingham said. "I didn't run Saturday or Sunday, I only ran at like 30 percent on Sunday going into second base, and so before the game I went to go run and it just really bothered me."

Willingham was replaced at DH by Trevor Plouffe, who was originally penciled in to start at third base.

Jamey Carroll started at third in Plouffe's place and batted eighth. Willingham was originally supposed to bat third in the lineup so everyone behind him in the order moved up except shortstop Eduardo Escobar, who remained the club's ninth hitter.

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger. Kelly Erickson is an associate reporter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.